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Silent pods over virtual events – the untapped potential of virtual communities in co-working spaces.

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Title: Silent pods over virtual events – the untapped potential of virtual communities in co-working spaces.
Authors: Kyrö, Riikka (AUTHOR) riikka.kyro@lth.lu.se, Ruohola, Aino (AUTHOR) aino.ruohola@aalto.fi, Toivonen, Saija (AUTHOR) saija.toivonen@aalto.fi, Tähtinen, Lassi (AUTHOR) lassi.tahtinen@aalto.fi
Source: Facilities. 2025, Vol. 43 Issue 11/12, p747-761. 15p.
Subject Terms: *SHARED workspaces, *SOCIAL networks, *VIRTUAL conferences, *FLEXIBLE work arrangements, *VALUE proposition, VIRTUAL communities
Abstract: Purpose: The virtualization of work has been high on the agenda during the new millennium, increasingly so after the pandemic. In this transition, co-working spaces (CWS) are often proposed to be the future-proof solution. The purpose of this paper is to explore how hybrid and virtual solutions are portrayed in co-working literature and whether they are shaping CWS in practice. Design/methodology/approach: First, a systematic literature review is conducted to identify themes within virtual solutions in the co-working context. Following this, a qualitative case study with 20 CWS from five countries across the globe forms a practice review. Findings: This study categorizes the virtual solutions enabling virtual and hybrid work into virtual environments, virtual events, hardware and spatial solutions, and software and applications. Based on the practice review, the category basic services is added. The study finds that basic, task-oriented solutions are well-established. Yet, prosocial virtual solutions aiming at virtual community building are rare. Practical implications: Despite their reputation as windows to the future of work, CWS are not providing novel community-focused virtual solutions. CWS operators will find the results useful in developing their service offering to support virtual and hybrid work. Virtual community building through, e.g. virtual recreational events could make CWS a viable alternative to both the home and the corporate office. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to systematically review virtual elements in coworking literature post-pandemic, while the practice review has a unique global reach. The community building value proposition of CWS has been extensively studied. Less attention has been paid to how the service offering in CWS supports contemporary virtual and hybrid work, especially the forming of virtual communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Business Source Index
Description
Abstract:Purpose: The virtualization of work has been high on the agenda during the new millennium, increasingly so after the pandemic. In this transition, co-working spaces (CWS) are often proposed to be the future-proof solution. The purpose of this paper is to explore how hybrid and virtual solutions are portrayed in co-working literature and whether they are shaping CWS in practice. Design/methodology/approach: First, a systematic literature review is conducted to identify themes within virtual solutions in the co-working context. Following this, a qualitative case study with 20 CWS from five countries across the globe forms a practice review. Findings: This study categorizes the virtual solutions enabling virtual and hybrid work into virtual environments, virtual events, hardware and spatial solutions, and software and applications. Based on the practice review, the category basic services is added. The study finds that basic, task-oriented solutions are well-established. Yet, prosocial virtual solutions aiming at virtual community building are rare. Practical implications: Despite their reputation as windows to the future of work, CWS are not providing novel community-focused virtual solutions. CWS operators will find the results useful in developing their service offering to support virtual and hybrid work. Virtual community building through, e.g. virtual recreational events could make CWS a viable alternative to both the home and the corporate office. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to systematically review virtual elements in coworking literature post-pandemic, while the practice review has a unique global reach. The community building value proposition of CWS has been extensively studied. Less attention has been paid to how the service offering in CWS supports contemporary virtual and hybrid work, especially the forming of virtual communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02632772
DOI:10.1108/F-01-2025-0016